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Prep football: Minnesota all-star game has everything but star players

By Alex M. Smithasmith@pioneerpress.com

Posted:
06/28/2013 12:01:00 AM CDT

Updated:
06/28/2013 11:53:48 PM CDT

Summer classes for top recruits have depleted the talent level of the Minnesota High School All-Star Football Game, but some of the state's best prospects still will be on display Saturday afternoon at St. Cloud State's Husky Stadium.

The game lacks the big names who played in 2012, such as Cretin-Derham Hall running back James Onwualu (Notre Dame), Tartan defensive back Keelon Brookins (Wisconsin) and Cooper cornerback Malik Rucker (Iowa). In fact, none of the local players who will be attending Division I Football Bowl Subdivision schools this fall will play.

But game director Dave Fritze said the 88 players on the field, several of whom are Division I Football Championship Subdivision recruits, will have a great opportunity.

"They now see themselves as a very good football player," said Fritze, "and can judge their own ability right next to the top 80 to 90 players in the state. What they find out is: They're pretty good."

Fritze said the all-star game, sponsored by the Minnesota Football Coaches Association, does not even invite FBS recruits anymore because it has become commonplace for those players to already be enrolled in summer classes before their first NCAA seasons. The game, in its 40th year, now focuses on FCS recruits and other players who had exceptional senior seasons. The rosters, divided into North and South teams, include players from all seven high school football enrollment classes, including Nine-Man.

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Osseo running back Bridgeport Tusler, a South Dakota State recruit, is perhaps the biggest name on either roster. He accounted for 1,416 yards of offense and eight interceptions in 2012 en route to winning Minnesota's Mr. Football award. Fritze said that, unlike FBS schools, FCS schools are happy to lend their new recruits to the event.

"All of them love to have their recruits playing," Fritze said.

One of those recruits is Mick Nelson, a defensive lineman from Mounds View. Before starting summer classes at Western Illinois next week and playing for the Leathernecks in the fall, he wanted to play one more game in Minnesota. He said coaches at Western Illinois encouraged him to play this week.

Nelson, who will play on the North team Saturday, said practices at the St. John's University campus in Collegeville were toned down during the week to avoid injuries, with players wearing only helmets and shoulder pads. Camaraderie, he said, has been excellent.

Akeem Roller of Cretin-Derham Hall and Tycel Page of Highland Park, both of whom are playing for the South, said it's been a fun week. The team has spent time at the lake, the pool and even at the supposedly haunted St. Joe's chapel.

"This helps me get ready for college and get used to the dorm life," said Roller, who will attend Iowa Western in the fall.

Page was more focused on the game itself.

"I think it's a great experience to play against some high competition," the Wisconsin-River Falls recruit said. "It seems like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

GAME FACTS

What: Minnesota High School All-Star Football Game

Who: High school graduates from around the state split into North and South teams